FOOTBALL: Indians light up scoreboard for homecoming win over Sparta
DU QUOIN, IL - Capitalizing on four Sparta turnovers, Du Quoin celebrated their homecoming in style on Friday night with a 77-26 thrashing of the Bulldogs at Van Metre Field to win their third straight game of the season and their first at home.
Twice in the first quarter Sparta fumbled on a kickoff return to set the Indians up for easy points, enabling Du Quoin to build a 27-6 lead less than seven minutes into the game.
"Brenden Fred did a good job with the kickoffs, placing them where we wanted to kick the ball," said DHS head football coach Al Martin. "The kids had good coverage, we went down there and pinned Sparta deep in their own territory and picked up some fumbles on the kickoffs. That really helped us, it gives you a short field, and we were able to punch some scores in quick."
The Indians kicked off to start the game but would have possession of the ball after picking up Sparta's first of three fumbles on the night at the Bulldogs' 15-yard line. After a 12-yard gain by Deeja Cole, Fred pitched to Baxter for 3-yard score as the running back went into the end zone untouched.
Du Quoin's defense then held for a punt and the offense took over once again at the 50. Baxter and Cole each had first down runs before Haeden Sweetin took it in from 23 yards out for a 14-0 lead.
The Bulldogs showcased some big-play capabilities on their next offensive turn when Sharvel Austin broke free for a 77-yard touchdown run, but the Indians were quick to respond with a five-play, 49-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Baxter with 5:55 left in the opening quarter.
"They broke a couple long runs," Martin said. "They're a very capable team once they get on a roll, but we were able to control the game offensively and keep them from getting any real momentum on offense."
Du Quoin's Austin Pinski recovered another fumbled kickoff return at the Sparta 3-yard line just seconds later and Baxter added his third touchdown of the quarter to put the Indians up 27-6.
Sparta would score on a kick return in the second quarter, but Du Quoin was ready to put this one away. The Indians scored four times before the half - an 8-yard run by Jonah Spencer, a 15-yard pass from Fred to Daulton Donoghue, a 1-yard run by Cole and a 27-yard run by Antonio Smith.
Camden Youngman (70-yard run) and Kody Hess (2-yard run) found paydirt for DHS in the second half of the blowout victory.
The Indians began substituting late in the second quarter, and after the break gave the majority of their starters the rest of the night off.
"Those kids that got on the field in the second half, they really helped our team out tremendously," Martin said. "I've really been pushing them to perform in practice. I think their execution and their hard work really paid off because (Friday) night they went out and played very well in the second half, offensively and defensively both."
The Indians racked up 395 yards on the ground from six ball carriers - Hess (9-71), Youngman (3-70), Baxter (8-58), Cole (6-55), Smith (3-54) and Spencer (2-41).
Fred completed three passes for 101 yards. Donoghue (2-60), Spencer (1-41) and Jacob O'Rourke (1-12) hauled in receptions.
Du Quoin (3-2, 2-0) is at home again in week six against the Carterville Lions (3-2, 2-0) with first place in the SIRR Mississippi Division on the line.